Car-coupling uncoupling mechanism



T. 1. BURNS. CAR couPLlNG UNcouPLlNG MEcHANlsM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-.22, l9l5- Patented Feb. 28, 1922.

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gg, Mimm- #umd/mm mtofmcqs UNITED STATES PATENT GFKFICE.

THOMAS J'. BURNS, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO WALTER P. MURPHY; OF

CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS.

CAR-COUPLING UNCOUPLING MECHANISM.

Specication of Letters Patent. Patnted Feb, 28, 1922,

Application led November 22, 1915. Serial No. 62,742.

coupling devices, and has for its object the obtaining of a simple and inexpensive construction which is easily applied, easily manipulated, and which does not interfere in any way with freedom of movement of the draught-bar or disturb the 'coupling-pin duringsuch movement. The invention comprises the novel construction as hereinafter' set forth.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a plan view of the device showing in dotted lines its relation to the coupler and car body;

Figure 2 is an end elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is a side elevation.

My improved uncoupling device or release rigging comprises a rock-shaft member having operating and operated rock-arms, and a link member having a lost-motion loop engagement with the operated rock-arm and with the coupling-pin, both of said members being preferably fashioned from metallic rods. The rock-shaft member A is of a length to extend from one side to the center of the car and has at its outer end a downturned operating rock-arm B,and at its inner end the laterally-extending operated rockarm C terminating in a loop D open at the bottom. E is the link member, which has a preferably closed loop F at its upper end having a vertical lost-motion engagement with the loo D, the lower end of said link being engage( with the eye of the coupler-pin. As shown, the device is applied to a top-lift coupling-pin, and for this construction the rock-arm C is arranged in the central longitudinal plane of the coupler, and the link E is provided at its lower end with an open loop or hook for engaging the eye of the With the construction as thus far described, it will be understod that both members A and E canbe readily formed from metallic bars suitably? bent, and therefore can be manufactured at low cost. To apply the device to the car, it is only necessary to provide bearings for the rock-shaft,

which as shown are formed by bifurcated bracket member I and J. The rock-shaft is placed between the bifurcations of these `brackets and Cotter-pins K secure the same,

from displacement. The brackets I and J are secured to the end sill or other suitable part of the car body. When mounted the uncoupling mechanism does not interfere with the normal movements of the couplerhead and draught-bar, as the link E is free to swing in an arc and the lost-motion provided by the engaged loops D and F is suiiicient to compensate for the deflection of the'arc. Y

To facilitate the assembly' of the parts, instead Vof closing the loop D it is left open so as to providesuflicient clearance for engagement with the .loop F. The deflection of the loop D so that it lies in a plane oblique tothe plane of the end of the car positions the vertical bars D D2`so that they act as guides for the loop F allowingthe same to stand in a plane parallel with the end of the car. The angular relation of the loops D and F and the offset or oblique position of the ends of the loop or hook G make it impossible, or at least very difficult, to disengage the links either from the eye of the coupler head or from the rock shaft after the latter has been secured in place in the bearings I and J. y f

In use, the link is normally supported by the coupler-pin and is therefore movable with the coupler, while the lost-motion provided by the loops D and F is suiiicient to compensate for angular adjustment of the link without draught thereon. On the other hand, whenever it is desired to operate the mechanism the rocking of the shaft A by the actuating arm B will first take up the lost motionand then lift the link, thereby operating the coupler-pin.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In combination with a railway car and coupler, the latter having a lock pin provided with an eye, a release rigging comprising an operating rod having a rock arm, and a link having at its lower end means for providing a flexible engagement with the eye Aof said lock pin, said rock arm and link being formed with co-engaging, substantially vertically disposed loops the loop on the arm being upstanding therefrom and deflected obliquely therefrom so as to be an open loop, whereby said loops are disengageable when the rod is removed from the car but are incapable of disengagement when the rod is in place on the car and the link'engaged with said lock pin.

2. In combination with a railway carand coupler, the latter having a lock pin provided with an eye, a release rigging comprising an operating rod having a rock arm, and a link formed at its Vlower end to provide an open hook to engage the eye of the lock pin, the end of which hook is deflected from the plane of the rest of the link; said rock arm and link being formed with coengaging, sub# stantially vertically disposed loops the loop on the arm being upstanding therefrom and deflected obliquely therefrom so as to be an4 open loop, whereby said loops are disengageable when the rod is removed from the ycar but are incapable of disengagement when the rod is in place on the car and the link engaged with said lock pin. j y

In combination with a railwayrcar and coupler, the latter having a lock pin provided with an eye, a release rigging comprising a link, the lower end of which is flexibly connected with the lock pinveye and the upper end formed with a closed, substantially vertical loop, and an operating rod on the car having a forwardly projecting arm which extends through the loop on the link and is provided with two substantially vertical members standing on oppositesides of said loop and spaced apart so as to permit disengagement of the loop on the link from the `operating rod when the vlatter is detached from the car, while preventing such disengagement when the parts of the release rigging are in their operative positions.V

4. In combination with a railway ear and coupler having a lock pin provided with an eye, a release rigging comprising a revoluble rod having a forwardly projecting arm formed with an upstanding loop open at the bottom, and a substantially vertical link having means at its lower end for flexibly en; gaging the eye of the lock pin and atits upper end a vertically extended loop en-l gaged with the loop on the arm of the rod, substantially as described.

5. In combination with a railway car and and coupler having a lock pin provided withv an eye, a release rigging comprising a revoluble rod having a forwardly projecting arm formed with an upstanding loop open at the bottom, and a substantially vertical llink formed-with an open deflected hook at its lower end for engaging the eye of the `lock pin and at its upper end with a vertically extended loop engaged with the loopon the arm of the rod, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS J. BURNS.r 

